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ROSE LONG. 



PRECIOUS THOUGHTS 



By ROSE LONG 




PUBLISHED BY 
PUBLISHING 
8-3-5 BROADWAY, 



BROADWAY 

COMPANY 

NEW YORK 



1°* 



Copyrighted, in 1904. 



ROSE LONG 



^4/i Rights Reserved. 



Gift 
ge and Mrs. tsaac R.Hitt 
JU>y 3r 1933 



± 



DEDICATED 

TO MY MOTHER, TO A VERY DEAR FRIEND 
AND TO ALL LOVERS OF HIGH IDEALS 



PRECIOUS THOUGHTS 



NICOLAS HAPPYSOME. 
I. 

THE CHILDREN. 

At Sunny Dale, a secluded little hamlet, sur- 
rounded by green hills and waving pines and firs, 
in Oregon, sweet Oregon, lives the Happysome 
family, which consists of a father and mother, 
with three children. 

Shall I tell you the names of the children? 
Yes. Blossom, the eldest, is a queenly-bearing 
girl of sixteen summers, with bright, dark-blue 
eyes and golden, waving hair. Beautiful and 
sweet is her disposition, no matter whether for- 
tune casts a smile or a shadow upon her life. So 
radiant and inspiring is her life that the village 
people call her "Sunshine of Sunny Dale." Her 



2 Precious Thoughts. 

mind is stored with much useful learning, which 
she drank in not only while at the best high school 
in the State, but also at home, having had free 
access to a little home library. Bright does her 
future career appear. 

I shall now introduce you to Nicolas, the older 
boy. In appearance Nicolas forms a great con- 
trast to Blossom. He is an awkward, overgrown 
boy of fourteen years, whom one might take to 
be much older. Straight is his black hair ; large 
and non-expressive are his dark eyes ; brown are 
his cheeks, and like in form the beak of the eagle 
is his nose. So mischievous is this boy, so un- 
pleasing is his face and the carriage of his body, 
that his parents fear for his future. Save for his 
jolly disposition and generous nature, he might 
be a victim to the taunts and tricks of the village 
boys. 

Nicolas' brother Ray, the baby, is quite a prom- 
ising boy. Here and there is he to be seen so 
very busy in his little way with his toys and talk- 
ing in a language peculiar to himself, a language 
now soft and low, now harsh and shrill. 



Precious Thoughts. 3 

II. 

NICOLAS' SPORT WITH THE BEARS. 

First a rattle and a bang of the door, and then, 
with eyes as large as a saucer, with mouth ex- 
panded to its very limit, with a face lit up with 
smiles, with trousers tattered and torn, and with 
a leap and a bound, and crying out, "I have killed 
her ! I have killed her, mother !" appeared Mas- 
ter Nicolas in the presence of his mother, a sweet, 
lovable woman, with silvered auburn hair, and 
on whom fortune had once smiled very kindly 
and left its happy impress. 

"Killed what, my son? Killed what?" asked 
Mrs. Happysome in one breath. 

Down deep into the great, large pocket of his 
hunting coat Nicolas thrust his hand, and drew 
out two tiny, hairy babies — bear cubs. 

"What ! Did you have heart to kill the mother ? 
What are you going to do with the little or- 
phans?" asked his mother, anxiously. 

"What am I going to do with them? To be 
sure, the matter was settled in my mind two or 



4 Precious Thoughts. 

three weeks ago, when I first saw the bear in the 
woods and heard her cubs. My intention is to 
send them off to San Francisco or some other 
large city, when they are quite big, and get a 
handsome price for them. My, won't you be 
proud of your son when he has his big purse full 
of silver pieces !" replied Nicolas. 

"Very well, my son. May you nurture them 
well and be successful financially," responded 
Mrs. Happysome. 

"Blossom! Blossom! Where are you? Do 
come quick !" cried Nicolas, in accents loud and 
shrill — so shrill that they permeated the whole 
house, from room to room. On hearing her 
name called in such exciting tones, Blossom in- 
stantly sprang to her feet, dropping her embroid- 
ery work upon the floor. Quick as a flash yes- 
terday's experience with her mischievous brother 
came to her mind. 

"I won't go. It is another one of his tricks to 
make sport at my expense," she muttered in a 
low tone. 

Since curiosity, which slumbers in every 
bosom, must be made content when once aroused, 



Precious Thoughts. 5 

Blossom hastily fled to the spot from which came 
the call. Right before her stood Nicolas, heroic 
Nicolas Happysome, with his hat drawn down 
over his face and his hands behind his back. 
With one leap, he sprang behind his victim and 
placed the cubs upon her shoulders before she 
had time to speak. 

"Oh, what are they? What are they? They 
are too large for mice — horrid, nasty mice ! Take 
them off ! Do take them off, for mercy's sake, or 
I shall become distracted with fear ! I will give 
you a big slice of that lemon-cake if you do. Be 
quick !" exclaimed the bewildered girl. 

Meanwhile our hero was reeling from side tq 
side, nearly dying with laughter as he beheld 
Blossom crying and trying to shake them off. 

Finding her brother to be entirely without 
mercy, a leap or two brought her to her smiling, 
amused mother, who gently took the babies from 
off her shoulders and placed them upon the floor 
Then all three joined in a jolly good laugh — such 
a laugh as would have made the darkest pessi- 
mist for a few moments feel the pleasure of a lit- 
tle personal sunshine. 



6 Precious Thoughts. 

"Come with me to the little bears' future 
home," said Nicolas. 

At his bidding mother and sister followed him 
till they arrived at the babies' new home. 

"Remember, my son," said Mrs. Happysome. 
"this matter means increased labor on your part. 
You will have to see that more hay and grain are 
raised for Cherry, so that she can give more milk. 
Then, too, you will have to carry your gun upon 
your shoulders more often than you do now — 
heaven knows you do this entirely too much al- 
ready! — in order to fill your hungry 'adopted 
childrens' ' mouths, till they are large enough to 
dispose of at a fair bargain. May you be a kind 
guardian to them." 

"And what are you going to do with the money 
you get for them?" inquired Blossom. 

"Oh, I will buy — well, I won't tell you what. 
Just wait patiently, and you will know," replied 
Nicolas, laughingly. 



Precious Thoughts. 7 

in. 

THE HAPPYSOMES' LOVE FOR FLOWERS. 

Not only was the Happysome house artistic- 
ally ornamented within, but the walks and gar- 
dens without were beautifully decorated with 
rare, sweet flowers, which were not only the pride 
of the household, but also the envy of the neigh- 
boring families. 

When duty did not call Blossom within doors 
she spent her leisure time out among the flowers. 

What recreation is purer, what recreation is 
more ennobling than that spent in the culture of 
flowers ? 

Some one has prettily said that love for na- 
ture's green garment of vegetation indicates a 
mind of pure thoughts. The lives of the Happy- 
some family are included among those that have 
verified this saying, for no purer individuals than 
they breathe or have ever breathed. 



8 Precious Thoughts. 

IV. 

CLAUD AUSTIN PROPOSES MARRIAGE TO BLOSSOM. 

"Dearie, what has befallen you? Why have 
you been so grave during the day? What dis- 
turbs you? Speak your mind to me, my child," 
said Mrs. Happysome to Blossom one day. 

"Do you not remember my getting a letter last 
night from my old high school friend, Claud 
Austin, a young musician by profession? Well, 
he has asked me that old, old question which is 
ever new to true lovers," said Blossom. 

"What! Has he asked you to be his wife?" 
inquired the mother. 

"Yes ; but he does not want me to marry him 
for four or five years yet, for we are nothing but 
children now, he being twenty-one and I almost 
seventeen. To-morrow I shall write to him and 
ask him to come with his sister Sylvia, a charm- 
ing, womanly young woman, and make us a visit 
this fall, so that not only you can see him, but 
also he and I can talk the matter over in per- 
son," replied Blossom, 



Precious Thoughts. 9 

"A capital idea, my daughter. Have him drop 
you a few lines before their arrival. Would that 
your poor father could be here at that time in- 
stead of within the legislative walls !" said Mrs. 
Happysome. 

Claud Austin was one of the manv who had 
sought the hand of Blossom. The report of her 
rare purity and worth had been noised far and 
near. Yet none as yet had succeeded in win- 
ning her respect and love. Is Claud Austin to 
be rejected also? 



V. 

NICOLAS ENCOUNTERS AN OWL. 

"It is noon now, and Nicolas has not yet made 
his appearance. I fear that some misfortune has 
befallen him, for he left with his gun very early 
this morning for the woods," said Blossom. 

Within half an hour Ray came running into 
the house to tell the good news that Nicolas was 
coming. 

( 'Well, how do you do, 'stranger' ? What have 



io Precious Thoughts. 

you been doing since early morning, my son?" 
said the uneasy mother. 

"Now, to make a long story short, I will be 
quite concise. While roaming through the 
woods I encountered an old owl perched upon a 
limb. The owl nodded good-morning to me, and 
I did the same to him. Then I sat down upon a 
moss-cushioned log and gazed at him. As I 
gazed, I fell into a deep meditation — a medita- 
tion that had no bounds, apparently. The ques- 
tion that I tried to solve was, Which is the great- 
er — the owl that lays the egg, or the egg that 
hatches the owl? The more I thought, the more 
difficult of solving seemed the question. At last 
I gave up in utter disgust, after having mused 
three or four hours. 

"Don't you know, mother, I believe that the 
owl was thinking about the very same question? 
Don't you remember having read in that new 
book which tells about the transmission of 
thought? Well, I believe his thoughts were 
transmitted to me. How else could I have 
thought of such a thing?" said Nicolas. 

"Son ! My son, such a subject is too deep even 



Preciuus Thoughts. n 

for philosophers, let alone my little boy. Better 
would it be for you to think about how to keep 
your body clothed, how to keep food upon your 
table, and how to become a manly man, an inde- 
pendent and respected man. These questions are 
questions worthy of every one's consideration. If 
they were thought of more, there would be less 
paupers in the world," replied Mrs. Happysome. 
"Oh, the babies ! Oh, the babies are howling 
for food ! Surely, they must have seen me com- 
ing home. Too bad ! I entirely forgot them 
while in the woods, for I was too deeply medi- 
tating about the owl question. Well, this care- 
lessness means another hunt for me before the 
sun sets this day. A scrap or two from the table 
will satisfy them. I will go at once to attend to 
them," said Nicolas. 



VI. 

THE AUSTINS' VISIT TO THE HAPPYSOMES. 

Swiftly did the months pass. Autumn is at 
hand, and the Happysomes' visitors are expected 
any moment. 



12 Precious Thoughts. 

The rattle of a vehicle announced the guests' 
arrival at the village. 

Blossom, dressed in a plain but becoming 
gown, welcomed them at the gate and led the 
way to the door, where they were met by Mrs. 
Happysome, who politely ushered them in. The 
vehicle and horses were taken to the barn and 
cared for. 

The next day the Happysomes, accompanied 
by their guests, carried their baskets full of vari- 
ous articles of food to the woods, and spent the 
day in eating, drinking and merrymaking. Nic- 
olas spent the time with his fowling piece, while 
the rest of the crowd fished, told side-rending 
stories and wandered through the woods. 

While the party walked home, a casual ob- 
server might have noticed the manly bearing of 
Claud Austin as he walked by the side of Blos- 
som. With his tall, straight person, with his 
black, curly hair, and with his dark-brown eyes, 
he seemed an ideal companion for the fair form 
at his side. 

Before the Austins' departure a close friend- 
ship had been formed between the two families. 



Precious Thoughts. 13 

After all was quiet again at the Happysome 
home and work went its regular round, Mrs. 
Happysome asked Blossom what was to be her 
future relation to young Austin. To her moth- 
er's questions she replied: "It is agreed by us 
that we shall wed after we have grown older and 
Mr. Austin has been blessed more favorably 
financially." 

"May no dark shadow separate you from him 
before the appointed time! As for myself, I 
am very much pleased with him, for I believe 
him to be a pure, good man," said Mrs. Happy- 
some. 



VII. 

A CALL AT THE HAPPYSOMES' BY MRS. BROOKS. 

"Listen, dearest. What is that which I hear?" 
said Mrs. Happysome to Blossom. 

Another quick, nervous rap told the eager lis- 
teners that Mrs. Brooks was without the door. 

"Go and ask her in, and entertain her till I 
make and bake these cakes," said the mother. 

Now, Mrs. Brooks was a great talker. In 



14 Precious Thoughts. 

fact, the village people had named her "The 
Newspaper." 

When comfortably seated, Mrs. Brooks said : 

"You find it quite lonely since the Austins have 
left, do you not? Indeed, they tell me that 
young Austin and you are engaged. Come, now, 
Sun-Blossom, don't deny it." 

A sudden rush of blood to Blossom's cheeks 
verified the report. 

"What little bird carried the message, I won- 
der? Mr. Austin and I intended to keep the 
matter to ourselves. Since it is no longer a se- 
cret, it is very well," replied Blossom. 

"Have you heard," said Mrs. Brooks, "the 
scandal about winsome young Widow Temple? 
Oh, it is horrible — simply horrid !" 

"No," replied Blossom. "Do give an account 
of the incident." 

"Well," said Mrs. Brooks, "the other day she 
called on Mrs. Pendleton, who had been plotting 
vengeance against her for some time. A slam of 
the door in her face told her that she was no 
longer wanted at the Pendleton home. It seems 
that Mrs. Temple had been casting bewitching 



Precious Thoughts. 15 

smiles at Mr. Pendleton for several weeks. Mrs. 
Pendleton had been noticing that her husband 
kept spending less of his leisure hours at home, 
but had too much confidence in him to believe evil 
of him. One evening last week, when she saw 
her husband and pretty Widow Temple walking 
up the path together from the post office, she 
thought she had an explanation of both her hus- 
band's recent conduct toward her and Widow 
Temple's frequent calls at her home. This little 
incident was the cause of the Temple woman's 
insult by Mrs. Pendleton. 

"If I had been Mrs. Pendleton I would have 
challenged her to a duel. Oh, I would have 
pulled her hair out by the roots, scratched out her 
eyes, and knocked her down, so that she would 
have something else to think about besides trying 
to mar the happiness of homes ! You look as if 
you doubt it. I would have done it. I mean ex- 
actly what I say, and nothing else. 

"Husbands — what are they, that many of them 
should deem themselves privileged characters? 
They are not a whit better than their wives. Let 
them do naught but what they would want their 



1 6 Precious Thoughts. 

wives do. There is but one woman for the true 
husband ; but one man for the true wife." 

"Your ideas about the equality of man and 
wife, about the sacredness of marriage are good 
— simply grand !" replied Blossom. "Oh, here 
comes mother with a tray of cookies and tarts," 
said Blossom. 

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Brooks. We began to 
think you had forgotten us. Do take some of my 
pastry," said Mrs. Happysome. 

"I was just going to tell Blossom about the dog 
and sheep trouble between Mr. Bruce and Mr. 
Clark. It is very amusing," said Mrs. Brooks. 

"Do tell us. We have not heard yet of any 
difficulty between the two neighbors. What is it 
all about?" said Blossom. 

"Well," began Mrs. Brooks, "Bruce's big dog 
— the yellow dog — has killed five or six of 
Clark's sheep. Bruce refused to pay the price 
Clark wanted for the dead sheep. 

"One day they met in the lane connecting their 
ranches. A hand-to-hand fight followed. Now 
Bruce was victor, now Clark. People far and 
near heard their cries. A crowd of idlers rushed 



Precious Thoughts. 17 

to the little hill, at some distance from them, and 
beheld the two old men combating each other. 
They said it was worth going miles to see. A 
stranger who chanced to pass their way cried out : 
" 'Halloo, old boys! Are you testing yjur 
strength ? This day is too pleasant to be wasted 
in play; to-morrow it will be raining, and your 
hay in the field will be ruined.' 

"Up sprang the two old men, apparently ex- 
hausted after several hours of wrangling, fist- 
fighting and rolling upon the ground. After Bruce 
had finally agreed to pay the cost of the sheep on 
condition that Clark should inclose his land with a 
new, strong fence, they parted on good terms." 

"Indeed, it must have been exceedingly amus- 
ing," said both Blossom and Mrs. Happysome. 

"The clock strikes five. I must take my leave 
or my dear husband's supper won't be prepared 
when he comes," said Mrs. Brooks. 

After a kind invitation for the Happysomes to 
call on her and a warm good-by, our visitor 
started for home. 



1 8 Precious Thoughts. 

VIII. 

NICOLAS' TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO. 

"Mother," said Nicolas one day, "Guy Green 
and I have been planning for some time to take a 
trip to San Francisco. We are going- to work in 
Martin's sawmill this summer to get money to go 
on this fall. We will manage to do the home 
chores morning and evening, so that we can be 
spared during the day. Oh, yes, we intend to 
take the bears with us and sell them for a big 
sum." 

"Very well, my son. It is necessary that you 
see a little of the world, for you are getting on 
in years," said the mother. 

Summer has passed ; autumn is near its close. 
Nicolas and Guy are expected home any day. 

A gentle knock called Blossom to the door. A 
cry of delight from her announced the arrival of 
Nicolas. 

"Come, mother, with sister and me to the 
barn," said Nicolas. 

Curious, yet trembling, they followed him. A 



Precious Thoughts. 19 

little Shetland pony and a baby monkey met their 
eyes when the barn door was opened. 

"Are these the things you bought with the bear 
money?" asked Blossom. 

"To be sure. Are they not worth many times 
the bears?" replied Nicolas. 

"Yes, if you do not break your neck in trying 
to train the pony — yes, if you do not teach the 
monkey to play tricks on me," said Blossom. 

"Shall I tell you about the things which we 
saw in the city?" asked Nicolas, a few days after 
his arrival. 

"Yes, do," replied all the rest of the family. 
"All right," replied Nicolas, "I will be brief. 
We made our abode on Market street. Every 
Saturday evening we walked down Market to the 
Emporium, called America's grandest store, to 
listen to the skilled musicians who play inces- 
santly for several hours. 

"Several times we rode out to the Cliff House 
and took a bath at Sutro's bathing establishment. 
Such baths as they are would be highly enjoyed 
by almost every one. 

"Golden Gate Park had a peculiar attraction 



20 Precious Thoughts. 

for us. This natural park is scarcely to be sur- 
passed for its beauty elsewhere in America. Here 
in a lake we saw swans, in fields buffalo, elk, deer 
and kangaroos ; here in a cave we saw the old 
black, grizzly bear. While here we visited the 
chutes, where we saw all kinds of monkeys, 
snakes and other animals, including lions, foxes, 
etc., and rode in the miniature cars and in the 
boat. 

"Oh, the ride in the boat down that long, 
slanting wooden approach to the water ! Oh, its 
plunge, when it so suddenly touched the water ! 
Oh, the rapidity with which it rode over the 
watery surface ! Why, I thought I would ac- 
tually lose my breath and sitting !" 

"Allow me to interrupt you, my son," said the 
mother, "for it is nearly bedtime." 



IX. 

A LETTER TO BLOSSOM FROM CLAUD AUSTIN. 

Nearly four years have passed since the Aus- 
tins' visit to the Happysome family. 

One nieht Nicolas handed a letter to Blossom. 



Precious Thoughts. 21 

It was from Claud Austin. The contents of this 
letter brought tears to her eyes. 

Saying, "Here, mother, read for yourself this 
letter," Blossom threw herself upon the sofa and 
hid her face in her hands, and silently wept. 

The following sentences were found in the let- 
ter: "Blossom, my love, my all, a great shadow 
hangs over my life at present. Our hopes of 
marrying next year have been crushed under the 
heel of misfortune — under the heel of cruel dis- 
ease. An operation, costing five hundred dollars, 
was performed upon my brother, Clyde. I felt 
duty bound to pay that sum, and in order to do 
so I have drawn five hundred dollars — my whole 
bank deposit, 

"I trust that you will not think ill of me, but 
will be willing to wait a year or two till I can 
furnish you a beautiful home to make you happy. 
Meanwhile, let us 'trust that somehow good will 
be the final goal of ill.' Life without you, Blos- 
som, would be a perfect blank to me, for you 
have become dearer to me than my very life." 

In reply to these words, Blossom said in her 
next lettei ; "Claud, you misunderstand me, I 



22 Precious Thoughts. 

fear. For these long years I have not been think- 
ing of marrying you for your money and worldly 
riches, but because of your pure, rare character, 
your personal worth. Wealth, remember, is 
naught in comparison to a noble character. I 
could be happy — very happy — with you with 
nothing but a few yards of canvas to shelter us 
from nature's elements ; I could be happy with 
you if I had naught to eat and drink but bread 
and water." 



X. 

NICOLAS" SPORT WITH THE PONY. 

"What is that noise which I hear outside? I 
will run out and see," said Blossom. 

Within a few seconds she returned, choking 
with laughter and saying: 

"Do come quick, mother ! Hurry ! You must 
not fail to see the sight." 

The mother calmly replied, "It is one of Nic- 
olas' pranks, I suppose." 

Sure enough. Nicolas was having fine sport. 



Precious Thoughts. 23 

Running at full speed through the field was 
Prince, the Shetland pony. Upon his back sat 
Nicolas, with his long legs dangling upon the 
ground. Jack, the monkey, was hanging to the 
pony's tail. Close at his heels were faithful Ro- 
ver and the rest of the dogs. With every leap of 
the pony Nicholas, Jack and the dogs gave a yell 
of delight. 

How amused was Nicolas when he saw Blos- 
som and his mother looking at him and nearly 
distracted with mirth at his expense! 

"Yes, Blossom," said he, "you can ride behind 
me some day if you choose. Wouldn't we look 
gay?" 

"Yes," replied she, "we would form a circus by 
ourselves ; and, too, we could charge a small fee 
at the gate. Mother can act as collector, and 
Ray as treasurer. How does this please you?" 

"I agree," said Nicolas, "to it. When shall the 
day be ? Pshaw ! you don't mean what you say, 
do you?" 



24 Precious Thoughts. 

XL 

THE ARRIVAL OF MR. HAPPYSOME. 

One evening Ray came running into the house, 
saying: "Mamma, I sees papa toming. Oh, I 
sees him ture !" 

Running as fast as his little legs could carry 
him, he met his father — a short, handsome man, 
with silvery hair. After a few great hugs and 
kisses, his father picked him up in his arms and 
walked rapidly toward the rest of the family, who 
came running to meet him. 

When Mr. Happysome was pleasantly seated in 
the old armchair, he said : 

"I am so very glad to be at home once more. 
I find no place equal to my own little home. 
Would that duty did not call me so far away most 
of the year ! Alas, it must do so for some time 
yet. I find the life of a Senator not the most 
agreeable of lives. I am to be here but a few 
days, and then I must go back to the capital." 

"Arise, father," said Nicolas, "and come with 
me to see my investment — the investment I made 
with the bear money." 



Precious Thoughts. 25 

Off father and son walked to the barn, where 
Prince and Jack were comfortably housed for the 
night. 

"What are these animals good for?" asked the 
father. 

"For many things. I quite frequently ride the 
pony while I am hunting for old Cherry. Then, 
too, I use him in hauling wood to the shed. 

"As for the monkey, we find him worth the en- 
joyment he gives us. He is so full of tricks," re- 
plied Nicolas. 

"What ! Do you ride the pony, my son ? You 
must look very amusing while on his back," said 
the father. 

"Amusing, did you say? Well, just ask sister 
and mother about it," replied Nicolas, smilingly. 



XII. 

THE VILLAGE CHARITY CIRCLE. 

Yesterday the Bee, a charity circle, met at the 
home of Miss Ruth Glens. Both young and old 
were present. The Happysome women were in- 
cluded among the number. 



26 Precious Thoughts. 

The afternoon was spent in sewing - articles of 
various kinds of clothing for a large, destitute 
family but a few miles away. 

When a wagon loaded with the garments ar- 
rived at the home of the scantily-clad family, sun- 
shine dispelled the dark shadow from their faces. 
Such happy faces as they were are rarely seen. 

From year to year the Bee scatters seeds of 
sunshine in dark, hungry homes. 



XIII. 

THE MONKEY'S RIDE. 

"Look out at de windoo. I sees," said Ray, 
"something so vely tunny." 

All did as they were commanded. 

Right upon old Rover's back sat the monkey, 
holding with one hand to pussy and with the 
other to a rope tied around the dog's neck. Both 
the monkey and the cat were screaming as they 
a ode about the yard on Rover, whose tail almost 
touched the ground and whose head hung down 
as if he had just been flogged. 






Precious Thoughts. 27 

This incident was one long to be remembered 
with laughter by the family. 

"What won't that boy Nicolas teach that mon- 
key yet? Well, it is far better for him to inno- 
cently amuse himself at home with the pony and 
the monkey than to spend his spare moments with 
the village loungers, who might lead him into a 
grave 'vice," said Mrs. Happysome. 



XIV. 

NICOLAS' EXPERIENCE ON THE ICE. 

One wintry day, when there were ice and snow 
upon the ground, Nicolas and Guy, accompanied 
by Blossom and Ruth Glens, started out for the 
lake, which was but a few miles from the village. 

Such a merry crowd had never left Sunny 
Dale. The jingle of the bells of the sled drawn 
by Prince as they passed along made the old feel 
young again as they recalled their childhood days. 

Nicolas and Guy sported upon the ice, while 
the girls rode at full speed over the snow. 

"Let us see," said Nicolas to Guy, "who can go 
farthest out upon the ice." 



28 Precious Thoughts 






All of a sudden a penetrating cry from the 
direction of the lake reached the girls' ears. 

In an instant they were standing trembling at 
the edge of the lake. They saw a hole in the 
ice and poor Nicolas, venturesome Nicolas, strug- 
gling in the water and crying out at the top of 
his voice for help. 

Betwixt the three they succeeded in rescuing 
him from an untimely death. 

What an odd, laughable sight did Nicolas, with 
his drenched clothes, present ! So queer, indeed, 
did he look that his companions burst into a loud 
laugh. Nicolas, however, had not heart to join 
them in their merriment as they laughed at his 
expense. 

After this exciting incident the party betook 
themselves home. 

"Nicolas, my poor son, what has befallen you?" 
asked Mrs. Happysome, as she beheld Nicolas 
drenched with water from head to foot. 

"Let me take your wet clothes and hat and lay 
them upon the ground to dry," said Blossom. 

Nicolas, although his pride had been some- 



Precious Thoughts. 29 

what wounded, soon recovered from the shock of 
this day's experience, and was as mischievous 



as ever. 



XV. 



CHANGES IN THE LIVES OF THE HAPPYSOME AND 
AUSTIN FAMILIES. 

Since first, kind reader, you became acquainted 
with the Happysome and the Austin families, 
a great change has taken place among their mem- 
bers. 

There is less sunshine now in the Happysome 
home. One bright, smiling face has left its 
threshold. Only the memory of her pure life is 
left to inspire the village people to higher things. 
Mrs. Happysome's face lights up with smiles now 
when people call her grandma. 

At present Nicolas is almost a man, and man- 
ages the whole farm during his father's long ab- 
sences. He has resolved to be an honest old 
bachelor, although many of the village girls 
would give their very lives to share his lot with 
him. He turns a deaf ear to the sweet words of 



30 Precious Thoughts. 

Mary Anne Blake, and appears to see not her 
radiant smiles. Poor girl ! Her time has not 
come yet to wed. 

Blossom, the mistress of Claud Austin's home, 
has become the joy and pride of her husband, to 
whom she has borne a smiling, rosy baby boy. 
Naught but sunshine surround this home. Good 
has become the final goal of that ill-fortune which 
some years ago overshadowed the lives of this 
happy pair. 



Precious Thoughts. 31 



LABOR, LIFE'S MISSION. 

The world in all its beauty reveals not only the 
handiwork of the great Designer, but also that 
of man. While nature, with its charming as- 
pects, forms the background, the marvelous crea- 
tions of man form the foreground. As nature 
abounds with innumerable materials in their free 
state, which need but to be fettered and variously 
transformed for utility, so man is endowed with 
special creative faculties, in order that he may 
modify these substances. The greater the ef- 
forts which he puts forth in developing his facul- 
ties, the greater and more precious are his con- 
veniences. When the world was yet very young 
he began to exercise them by constructing rude 
huts, tilling the soil and transforming raw prod- 
ucts into food and clothing. His creative pow^ 
ers are enlarged and perfected as the years pass 
into centuries. To-day, instead of the hut, the 



32 Precious Thoughts. 

village, the patriarchal family, the rude school 
system, the crude implements, the tallow or 
waxen candle, we have the palace, the city, the 
strong, centralized government, an advanced edu- 
cational system, complicated machinery and the 
electric light. This great progress is due, not to 
the common mass of mankind, the indifferent, 
but to the faithful few — those who knew their 
mission and performed it. 

Great heights are reached, not by a single 
bound, but by continued efforts. Perseverance 
is the fountain from whence flows precious, 
sparkling waters. Many are they who fall a 
prey either to ease and luxury or to aimless, pov- 
erty-stricken lives, because success does not 
crown their first efforts. Stephenson labored for 
over twenty years to produce and perfect the 
locomotive engine. Because of years of perse- 
verance, Davy gave to the world the electric 
light; Fulton, the steamboat; Morse, the tele- 
graph ; Jasen, the microscope, and Field, the At- 
lantic cable. 

The secret of all success, of all greatness, and 
of all happiness is to live for a noble purpose. It 



Precious Thoughts. 33 

has been said: "Let thrones decay, let empires 
perish, let dangers arise from without and from 
within, but stand firm to your purpose and true to 
your calling." The man without a purpose frit- 
ters away his energies and accomplishes nothing. 
He is rather to be likened unto the butterfly, 
which flits here and there, never gaining wealth, 
than unto the bee, which flies from flower tc 
flower and lays up stores for winter comforts. 

Behold the flowers of the field ! They blossom 
to-day, perish to-morrow. So it is with man. 
To-day we see him stand forth in all the vigor of 
his young manhood ; to-morrow we see him with 
his bent form and silvered hair. Life is too 
short to be spent in idleness. The living present 
alone bids our attention. The doors of oppor- 
tunity are open to men of activity, enthusiasm and 
enterprise, to men who know their message and 
tell it, know their mission and wish to perform it. 
Necessity in general makes manifest man's 
duty. Does not our country to-day in her press- 
ing need call for aid? Does she not want her 
children educated, the poverty-stricken and help- 
less cared for, the fallen lifted up, demons which 



34 Precious Thoughts. 

corrupt manhood driven from her midst, and pol- 
itics purified? 

Man is a social being. His true happiness 
arises from serving his fellow-men; his mission 
is made void by serving self alone. Does not the 
sparkling brook as it flows winding through the 
country serve humanity better than the still water 
of a secluded lake? Does not the oasis bring 
more joy to the wearied, thirsty traveler and his 
camel than the burning sands of the barren des- 
ert? The value of a smile, a cordial handshake, 
a word of sympathy, a little act of service cannot 
be overrated. "Small service is true service." 
Small services are but the stepping-stones to 
greater services. 

Our Revolutionary fathers sacrificed their lives 
to give freedom to their posterity. Stanley and 
Livingstone at the risk of their lives brought light 
to the dark parts of Africa. Over three million 
slaves owed their freedom to the untiring efforts 
of Abraham Lincoln. The lifelong service of 
Frances Willard has borne most excellent fruit. 
Margaret, of New Orleans, who was an orphan, 
brought up by the Sisters of Charity, fed the 



Precious Thoughts. 35 

hungry and cared for the orphan children with 
money she earned by selling milk and bread. She 
received the honor of being the first woman in the 
world to whom a monument in a public park was 
erected. Is it not to the honor of mankind, the 
glory of womanhood that this first monument was 
erected, not to some idle queen, some brilliant 
woman of exceptional gifts, but to a working- 
woman ? 

Labor, dignified labor, is man's mission. Were 
not the parents of the race placed by their Creator 
in the immortal Garden to till and care for it? 
The more the nerves and muscles of their bodies 
were strained, the more their brows were bathed 
with sweat, the greater was their happiness. So 
it is with their posterity. The degree of their 
comfort and happiness depends upon the energy 
with which they labor. 

Broad is the field of labor; many and diversi- 
fied are the sections into which it is divided. 
Each individual is endowed with a special fac- 
ulty for a special line of work. In a new and 
wild region, where the means of subsistence are 
scanty and where the individual is thrust almost 



36 Precious Thoughts. 

entirely upon his own resources, in regions where 
the spirit of the Gospel has not entered and per- 
meated, there is seen that "survival of the fit- 
test," so noticeable everywhere in plant and brute 
life. 

John Smith, the old Virginia planter, realized 
that the posterity of a people rests upon the in- 
dividual laborer, when he issued his memorable 
proclamation, "He, vho does not work, should 
not eat." The old saying, "The world owes me 
a living," is of little account in this present age. 

While the able-bodied pauper of an enlightened 
and Christian country is an object of scorn, the 
weak and unfortunate man is an object of com- 
passion and sympathy, and shares the fruits of 
the labor of the more fortunate. 

Men deeply occupied in accomplishing some 
noble end, be it for self or for others, are kept 
free from the influences of evil men. 

All great minds confirm the statement that 
labor, whether it be manual or mental, is not only 
the most precious gift bestowed upon man, but it 
is also his greatest privilege. 

In the beginning, labor was imposed upon man 



Precious Thoughts. 37 

for his best welfare; afterward, because of dis- 
obedience, it was imposed upon him as a curse. 
After the coming of the Son of Man it became 
his greatest privilege. 

Hard labor, true labor, not only satisfies and 
ennobles the mind and gives strength and vigor 
to the body, but also causes the barren desert to 
blossom as the rose. 



38 Precious Thoughts. 



GOLDEN RESULTS OF PURPOSEFUL 

LIVES. 

During the past ages man has made great 
progress, although the pessimist sees only dark- 
ness and degeneration where the optimist sees 
sunshine and advancement. 

In primitive days mankind dwelt in caves, in 
rude huts and beneath twisted boughs. Tribes 
were isolated by mountain barriers. Man wan- 
dered at will through unclaimed forests. Conti- 
nents were separated by mysterious and unsailed 
seas. 

Man has felled those forests and reared in their 
place palaces, cities and empires. He has 
spanned the rivers, crossed the continents with 
railways and subdued the mighty waves of the 
sea, over which he rides swiftly by the wondrous 
power of steam. He has enslaved the elements 
of the world, and even the wind and lightning 



Precious Thoughts. 39 

obey his will. Telegraphs and cables have 
brought the peoples of every land into closer and 
more vital relations with one another. The print- 
ing-press has made us acquainted with the noble 
thoughts and deeds of the great men of every age, 
with the heroes who have spent their lives for 
others, with the painters and sculptors who have 
created immortal forms by brush and chisel ; it 
has made us acquainted with the philosophers 
who have fathomed the very depths of man's be- 
ing and have learned the mysteries of the celes- 
tial bodies. 

Women — notably the American women — are 
overcoming popular opinion, prejudices, and are 
stepping beyond the boundaries of the realm as- 
signed to woman when the world was in its in- 
fancy. They have separated themselves into 
three groups. First, the old type of woman ; she 
believes that by remaining faithful to the home 
life alone she can more successfully instill noble 
principles of manhood and womanhood into the 
minds of her children. Secondly, the new wom- 
an; she believes that her duty pertains not only 
to the home, but also to politics ; therefore, she 



40 Precious Thoughts. 

petitions Congress that she be allowed to cast her 
vote at the polls. She thinks, since she is under 
the laws of her country, she ought to be allowed 
to help frame the laws. She wants to aid in 
cleansing politics of its corruption, and help steer 
the ship of state. Lastly, the "bachelor girl" ; 
she thinks, since she is able to contend with her 
brother on the horse, on the wheel, in running, 
rowing, galloping and in the classroom, she is 
able also to contend with him in all the profes- 
sions. She abandons the home and its environ- 
ment, and successfully follows a profession. 

The woman of the twentieth century will be a 
revelation. She will no longer be the timid, 
shrinking shadow of man ; she will no longer be 
the weaker vessel, for she is developing by phys- 
ical culture that side of her nature which has lain 
dormant for centuries. 

What was it that so deeply agitated the Amer- 
ican mind when it was made known that the 
statue of Maude Adams, a charming but frail 
young woman, was to be sent to the Parisian ex- 
position as a typical representative of the Amer- 
ican girl who is the young Amazon? 



Precious Thoughts. 41 

At this critical age our country cries and 
groans for men of noble purposes and strong con- 
victions of purity and justice. Few men dare to 
stand firmly against public sentiment and contend 
for what they know to be of vital interest to man- 
kind, while the indifferent, who number thou- 
sands, drift with the popular current. He is a 
slave who dares not stand for the right with two 
or three. Do not ten men vote for party while 
one man votes according to the dictates of his 
conscience? Are not many of our places of re- 
sponsibility occupied by men of low principles, 
by men enthroned by a certain political party, and 
who retain their positions either by policy or the 
support of their promoters? Men of noble pur- 
poses, men who are as true to their trust as the 
needle is to the poles, men who will not sell their 
convictions, their birthrights, for a morsel of 
bread or a paltry piece of silver, are needed, not 
only to hold the reins of government, but also to 
be citizens of the Republic. 

Here and there in the firmament of history 
shines a remarkable star. Did not Columbus re- 
main faithful to his convictions? Did he not 



42 Precious Thoughts. 

contend against the opinions and scornful hisses 
of united Europe, and for years petition the 
courts to equip him with ships and provisions? 
Nay, did he not at last bid farewell to Palos and 
boldly venture out upon the mysterious sea? 

William Lloyd Garrison, a man of strong con- 
victions, dared to stand alone and face the 
throngs in Boston who were crying for negro 
servitude, and he even died for what he knew to 
be right and just. 

Continuously in the mind are being produced 
noble ideas, which, if unheeded, finally vanish. 
Often a smoldering ideal can be fanned into a 
glowing, brilliant reality. Heroic deeds, noble 
acts, successful undertakings, are but the realiza- 
tions of created ideas. 

Roscoe, in his mind, experienced the life of the 
poor, ignorant laborer, and pitied him. Then he, 
in truth, built fountains for him where he could 
come after his day's work, cool his brow, medi- 
tate and grow wiser. 

Howard, in his mind, put himself into the place 
of the prisoner, and lived his wretched life. And 
then he instituted prison reform. 



Precious Thoughts. 43 

Florence Nightingale, in her mind, felt the pains 
of the wounded soldiers. Then, in reality, she 
gathered about her an army of angel forces, 
which, with her as leader, walked with tearful 
eyes and voices soft and low among the sick and 
dying. 

Men who have made marvelous achievements 
have been castle-bilders. We rise by what is 
under our feet. "We build the ladder by which 
we rise from the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, 
and mount to its summit round by round." 

Now and then physical weakness enters ambi- 
tion's door and partially closes it. Although it 
thrusts man from the full tide of this world's in- 
terest, from its hopes, its aspirations, its victories, 
yet he calmly submits to its mighty power, and 
is happy with his lot, trying still to bring to pass 
his great ultimate purpose in life. 



44 Precious Thoughts. 



PROGRESS OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 

The present state of American household serv- 
ice in the home with modern improvements is far 
different from what it was a century ago. If we 
wish to study the gradual evolution of American 
housekeeping it may best be traced in New Eng- 
land. 

First, we have the lob-cabin and garrison- 
house period. Necessity made labor dignified in 
those days. The men worked in the fields, the 
women in the kitchen, but both had many other 
occupations and knew the elements of several 
trades. The men shod their plows with hand- 
wrought iron and the women spun and wove the 
household linen. 

Second, we have the frame-house period, when 
the house was built about the great chimney and 
the kitchen was the main living room. House- 



Precious Thoughts. 45 

keeping was not difficult in those days, because 
the family lived in so small a space that house- 
cleaning was reduced to a minimum. There was 
seldom a carpet and no bric-a-brac, while wooden 
or flag-bottomed chairs alone were used. A few 
tin spoons were often the only precious metal in 
the house besides a string of gold beads. The 
family cooked, ate, washed, sat, sewed, and al- 
most slept in the kitchen. It is no wonder that 
the housewife could do all the indoor work, make 
all the clothes, nurse her children, attend to the 
neighboring sick, piece numberless patchwork 
quilts, knit pillow-cases full of stockings, braid 
rugs, besides finding time to go to meeting. 

The transition from the simplest frame house 
to the house of modern improvements began with 
the evolution of the dining-room. With the din- 
ing-room began the ignoring of the process of 
cooking by the mistress, the separation of the 
household into those who served and those who 
were served. The kitchen became degraded, for 
it was no longer the center of family life. It was 
considered the inferior part of the house and was 
given to the care of inferiors, because with the 



46 Precious Thoughts. 

specialized house originated the servant-girl. In 
the log-cabin period each family did all its own 
work, and neighbors sometimes exchanged, while 
in the frame-house period the family hired help 
from neighboring households. The help ate and 
worked with the family. They were of the same 
nationality and attended the same church. The 
development of the dining-room caused social 
distinctions to be made, and then American girls 
no longer could be hired. Help must be obtained 
from foreign lands. The Irish girl, Biddy, was 
introduced into household service, and carried the 
service down with her. She did not know a dust- 
pan by sight; she broke and burnt at pleasure, 
stopped up the sink drain without remorse, and 
yet demanded for her work three dollars a week. 
True, some of the Biddies of this period were 
perfect, model helps in the kitchen, but as a rule 
they rendered very poor service. 

It has been said that intelligent, self-respecting 
girls will starve before entering household serv- 
ice, although it is better paid than almost any 
other manual labor performed by women and is 
done under more comfortable surroundings than 



Precious Thoughts. 47 

many kinds of work in factories, sewing-rooms 
and shops. Nevertheless, the woebegone house- 
wife complains because she is willing to pay high 
wages but cannot get trustworthy, efficient serv- 
ice in her kitchen. 

It is plain why our self-respecting American 
girls do not enter household service. It com- 
mands no respect. The only way to make cook- 
ing, cleaning and other forms of housework re- 
spectable is to have this labor performed by re- 
spected, educated women. For one to be a nurse 
was once considered disgraceful, but now it is 
considered honorable and is looked forward to as 
a profession by hundreds of American girls of 
good families. What brought about this change? 
Training and education. 

Another kind of service has risen in dignity be- 
cause it has been taken up by cultured people. At 
the summer resorts in many parts of our country, 
notably at White Mountains, the dining-room at- 
tendance has passed into the hands of college stu- 
dents and local school mistresses. 

The latest phase of American housekeeping 
which throws a hopeful light on the situation is 



48 Precious Thoughts. 

the "girl bachelor establishment," which is 
springing up in many of our large cities. Col- 
lege girls, bright business and professional wom- 
en, are beginning to be willing to perform for 
themselves the humblest tasks. 

The difference between the conveniences in the 
home to-day and fifty or a hundred years ago is 
very great. Then, as now, the housework went 
its weary round of cooking, sewing, washing, 
ironing, scrubbing, sweeping and dusting. To- 
day an abundance of water is brought to our sinks 
and much labor and anxiety are saved. Then it 
was carried by the pailful from wells or springs, 
which were liable to fail in dry seasons. 

To-day, notwithstanding we have the sewing- 
machine, which far outsews the fingers, this 
greater rapidity has made possible as much 
greater elaborateness and profusion, so that pre- 
cious time is used up all the same. 

As to cooking, while our present conveniences 
do take from its labor, so that with equal sim- 
plicity we should gain time, here again comes 
in the greater elaborateness, brought about partly 
by the cooking schools which made the olden- 



Precious Thoughts. 49 

time cooking seem quite rudimentary. There is 
with a greater variety of food increased labor of 
preparation. 

The walls, tables and mantels then were unen- 
cumbered with the multifarious and all-pervad- 
ing bric-a-bac which row has to be dusted and 
variously cared for as a part of every day's work. 
To-day we have upholstered furniture to add to 
our comfort, which require more care than did 
the olden-time chairs, for moths have a peculiar 
liking for them. Now there is a multitude of 
rooms in the home instead of the one living room 
and tiny bedrooms of the former period. 

Is there any wonder, then, that the woman 
with the most conveniences needs an aid? The 
question is, Do the present conveniences and the 
greater multiplicity of things to be done just 
about balance each other, or do the former help to 
bring to light that unknown quantity desired by 
women — "time enough." 

The important place that domestic science oc- 
cupies in civilization is being more and more real- 
ized. 'All over our country schools are being es- 
tablished — the Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn; the 



5<d Precious Thoughts. 

Armour Institute, in Chicago, and also different 
schools of domestic and household art in Boston 
and other large cities. Private and advanced in- 
stitutions are beginning to pay attention to the 
subject. The Ohio State University has now a 
four years' academic course leading to the degree 
of Bachelor of Domestic Science, which includes 
cooking, dressmaking, biology and chemistry. 
The Michigan Agricultural College is doing a 
grand thing by similar courses of study. 

Cookery has formed a part of the regular 
course of study for girls in the public school of 
Philadelphia since 1890. The schools of other 
cities have a course of cookery extending over 
four years. 

Scientific research shows that there is a four- 
fold mistake in our food economy; first, the pur- 
chase of needless but expensive kinds of food, 
because a false impression is formed that there is 
a peculiar virtue in costlier food materials ; sec- 
ond, the food eaten does not always contain the 
proper portions of the different kinds of nutri- 
tive ingredients. Too much fats, starches and 
sweets are consumed in proportion to nitrogenous 



Precious Thoughts. e; i 

matter, or protein ; third, needless quantities of 
food are consumed. The worst sufferers from 
this evil are well-to-do people who do liitle man- 
ual labor, and brain workers, people of sedentary 
habits; fourth, serious errors are made in cook- 
ing. Not only is fuel wasted in the preparation 
of food, but even then the food is badly cooked. 
A reform in the methods of cooking is the eco- 
nomic demand of the time. As information is 
extended, the man of the future will be better 
nourished, will accomplish more, and will live on 
a higher plane physically, intellectually and mor- 
ally. 

About the time Mt. Holyoke Seminary was 
founded by Miss Lyon, a few minds began to 
discern that man himself can do much to modify 
his physical condition. Books began to appear 
on hygienic lines. 

Sanitation is beginning to play an important 
part in household economics, which means that 
the household is so governed by the laws of life 
and health, so shielded from all causes of dis- 
eases, that each member will have a healthy body, 
nourished by good food, pure water and air. 



52 Precious Thoughts. 

Our grandmothers lived under a state of things 
far different from that under which we live. Bod- 
ily functions were only spoken of under the 
breath, and were supposed to depend on super- 
natural powers, although a few women did essay 
to assist nature with a little "herb tea." When a 
poor creature died suddenly, the coroner's jury 
would render the verdict : "Died by visitation of 
God." 

The immediate household environment of many 
a woman in this country is a wet cellar, a wet, 
undrained house lot. The cellar, besides being 
wet, is dark, and has often in it decaying vegeta- 
bles, which breed millions of disease germs, that 
pass up through the floor and taint the whole air 
so as to cause consumption, malaria, typhoid or 
diphtheria. 

The home environment may be further aggra- 
vated by a well so situated as to become polluted 
by organic wastes, such wastes as are found about 
a barn. Pure and dry air are the first needs of 
the body. Simply the preparation of food is not 
woman's sphere ; she must see that the air and the 
water are pure. A woman can become a true 



Precious Thoughts. 53 

sanitarian only by much reading and study of the 
subject. Mrs. Plunkett says: "To gain that 
penetrating and comprehensive information 
which constitutes the science of sanitation a wom- 
an must read and study and observe ; she must 
mark and inwardly digest, and then she must 
rise up in all her womanly might and translate 
her knowledge into action — absolute, aggressive, 
ceaseless action — against the kingdoms of dust 
and filth and dampness and bacteria. Then, in- 
deed, her children will have true occasion to rise 
up and call her blessed." 



54 Precious Thoughts. 



THE FORCE OF CHARACTER. 

Character is made ; it is not bestowed upon 
any man. It is earned, and never given. The 
mind and the heart alone are granted ; men work 
upon and develop them. The mind is the paper ; 
the character is what is written upon it. Men 
and women mold and form their own characters. 
As the foundation of knowledge rests upon the 
alphabet, so words, looks and actions form the 
alphabet by which the character is spelled. 

As we look forth over the earth, we behold it 
clothed with plant life of every description. Here 
we see a palm, small, deformed and with unde- 
veloped fruit, while its mottled leafage droops 
earthward. There we see a sister palm, tall, up- 
right and laden with luscious fruit, while its dark- 
green foliage towers aloft. The former has ob- 
tained its nourishment from soil deprived of its 
natural ingredients, while the latter has obtained 



Precious Thoughts. 55 

its nourishment from soil teeming with rich vege- 
table matter. Human life, as well as plant life, 
grows by what it feeds upon. 

To-day we meet a character low and repulsive. 
To-morrow we meet a character lofty and at- 
tractive. The man of low thoughts is known by 
his deeds, while the man of thoughts almost di- 
vine Is known by his deeds. Life, like every 
other blessing, derives its value from its use 
alone. The shadow of the man of idle pleasures 
and self -gratification is never kissed by the sick 
and dying, as was that of Florence Nightingale. 

The mind is the vineyard; the character is the 
fruit. Little by little the mind of a child grows. 
Children enter school without knowing the alpha- 
bet. The true teacher does not grow impatient 
over the small beginnings, but, letter after letter, 
name after name, object after object, are im- 
pressed on the mind, until a foundation is laid 
for future knowledge. Little by little the wis- 
dom is gained which helps them to solve the 
problems of life. The more impressions that are 
made on the mind, the stronger and broader it be- 
comes and the more excellent is the fruit. Hard 



56 Precious Thoughts. 

thinking makes the mind strong. "History 
makes men wise; poets, witty; mathematics, sub- 
tle; natural philosophy, deep; morals, grave; 
logic and rhetoric, able to contend." As Paul 
sat at the feet of Gamaliel, so sit we at the feet 
of knowledge. Our progress may be slow and 
tedious, but why need we despair? Have not 
many of our greatest men worked under disad- 
vantage? How was it that Demosthenes became 
the greatest orator the world has ever known? 
The day may come when we shall have ascended 
the steep and rugged cliffs to the height of knowl- 
edge. 

What makes the difference between the char- 
acter of the man living in a dark corner of the 
earth and the man living in an enlightened coun- 
try? The latter cultivates his mind and facul- 
ties, while the former allows his to lie dormant. 
The one has a longing to attain unto the very 
heights of the ideal life, while the other, groping 
in darkness, never beholds the vision of their 
beauty. 

What was it that made George Washington 
such a good and noble man? It was the early 



Precious Thoughts. 57 

training of his mind. When asked why he was 
so good and honest, Washington replied : "My 
character is due to my mother's prayers and 
hymns." Upon the Bible Mrs. Washington 
sought to form her son's character. It has been 
said that "The models which St. Matthew pre- 
sents are lifelike descriptions of Washington." 
George Washington's character is best shown by 
one of his own statements : "I hope I shall always 
possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain 
what I consider the most enviable of all titles, 
'the character of an honest man.' ' : 

In Eisleben, in Prussian Saxony, a babe was 
born, destined to become the monk who "shook 
the world." Half-clothed, half-fed, with the 
snows of winter chilling his bare feet and the 
storms whistling about his hatless head, Martin 
Luther grew and thrived. 'He gained in these 
hardships a vigorous constitution. Obedience to 
his stern, upright parents gave him a strong and 
noble character. 

Luther had resolved to become a lawyer, but, 
by the mysterious workings of the Divine Will, 
he was induced to enter an Augustinian monas- 



58 Precious Thoughts. 

tery at Erfurt. What was the final result? It 
was freedom of religious thought. At Erfurt 
Luther fasted and underwent sufferings for past 
sins, as did the other monks. When on a mission 
to Rome he heard a voice saying: "The just 
shall live by faith alone." He went into the 
world to preach the new doctrine, and, if need 
be, to lay down his life. The strength and qual- 
ity of Luther's character is shown by his courage 
in attacking the follies of the Romish church. 
The debt which the Protestant church owes to 
Luther can never be paid. Carlyle has said of 
him: "I call this Luther a truly great man — 
one of our most lovable and precious men, a 
right spiritual hero, a true son of nature, for 
whom these centuries and many more may yet be 
thankful." 

George Washington, the most illustrious star of 
the Revolutionary period, Martin Luther, the 
"Morning Star" of the German Reformation, 
both from "the Choir Invisible of those Immortal 
Dead," live again in lives made better by their 
presence. 

Nothing else in the universe is of real value 



Precious Thoughts. 59 

besides a good character. Character is the only 
thing a man can take into the other world; all 
else he leaves at the grave. Only true character 
will win from the Eternal Judge the approving 
sentence: "Well done." The highest life, or 
true character, is reached, not by paths strewn 
with roses, nor by him who reclines on flowery 
beds of ease. Character is the only thing that will 
win confidence. What was it that caused Adams 
to write to Washington, saying: "We must have 
your name"? Make, then, a good character the 
very crown of your life. 

Men of good character are the want of the age. 
Men who are not for sale, men who are honest, 
men in whom the courage of everlasting life runs 
deep and strong, men who are not too proud to be 
poor, who are willing to eat what they have 
earned and wear what they have paid for, are 
the men demanded. 

Life is a mission, not merely an existence ; it is 
a continuous battle in which all must fight. He 
who has his "loins girt about with truth," has on 
the "breastplate of righteousness," takes in his 
hands the shield of brotherly love, and with the 



6o Precious Thoughts. 

sword of perseverance goes forth to fight the 
battle of life, will never be truly defeated. He 
that ruleth his own spirit aright is just as much 
a hero as the proud and haughty general. Hero- 
ism is ever the same ; it does not ebb and flow. 
Some men are heroic on occasions. True hero- 
ism never wavers. It is not a momentary im- 
pulse or enthusiasm, like the frothing, flooding 
mountain rivers during a winter storm ; but it is 
the sure and steady flow of active life, moving 
evenly along with increasing fullness, like the 
Mississippi, which flows on, ever broadening, 
ever deepening, toward the mighty sea. 



THE END. 



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